Community

Community — Greater Valley Glen CouncilThe Greater Valley Glen Council area is in the South Valley district of the San Fernando Valley along with neighboring communities, Valley Village, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Toluca Lake, and North Hollywood to name a few. The GVGC is in Council District 2 represented by Councilmember Paul Krekorian.

According to the U.S. Census 2000 Data, the estimated population for the Greater Valley Glen Area is 45,072. The demographics are 42.8% white; 41.9% Hispanic; 5.3% Asian; 5.1% multiple race; 4.1% Afro-American; 0.4% other race; 0.2% Native American; 0.1% Pacific Islander. Renter-occupied housing units make up 61.5% and owner-occupied housing units make up 38.5%.

Greater Valley Glen is home to Los Angeles Valley College, founded in 1949, with an enrollment today of 16,000 students. Los Angeles Valley College is the center of influence for education, personal development, lifelong learning, cultural activities, and career training in the San Fernando Valley. LAVC offers classes in more than 75 academic disciplines, as well as certificates in 60 vocational fields, to help students reach their educational goals. LAVC is now in the midst of a decade-long, physical revitalization process made possible by the passage of Propositions A, AA, and 47. Dr. Barry Gribbons is President of Los Angeles Valley College.

Greater Valley Glen is also home to the Great Wall of Los Angeles, the world’s longest mural (2754 feet) along the L.A. River/Tujunga Wash flood control by Grant High School. Begun in 1974 by San Fernando Valley native, Dr. Judith Baca, Founder and Artistic Director for Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC), it was painted over five summers by mostly at risk youths between the ages of 14 and 21 to help beautify and restore the river. The Great Wall is a landmark pictorial representation of the history of ethnic peoples of California from prehistoric times to the 1950’s. Production of the Great Wall has involved the support of many government agencies, community organizations, businesses, corporations, foundations, and individuals. With accompanying park and bike trails, the Great Wall hosts thousands of visitors every year.

Grant High School is a community of learning, with incredible students and teachers that prepare you for college and beyond. Grant has a legacy of greatness, with several teachers and a principal who attended Grant themselves. Grant offers many opportunities for gifted and talented students. Students of all grade levels can take AP courses. We also facilitate concurrent enrollment in college classes, with some college classes offered right on campus. Grant hosts a School for Advanced Studies and two magnets. Our College Prep and Digital Arts Magnet and our new Humanitas Magnet for Interdisciplinary Studies both offer unique learning pathways for students. Students have opportunities to take graphic design, horticulture, film, robotics, forensic science, and more. Grant’s academic program offers enrichment and challenge for all! Principal Rebecca McMurrin. Phone 818-756-2700

Nestled in the heart of Valley Glen thrives a diverse neighborhood school, Erwin Elementary. Our motto, “Soar Like an Eagle,” guides our commitment to provide outstanding instruction that ensures academic success for all students. Erwin’s loving, positive school culture embraces diversity, sets high expectations, and provides outstanding instruction for all students to achieve. We believe in educating the whole child. As a School for Advanced Studies, the enriched, rigorous curriculum challenges the gifted and high achievers, and our inclusive campus embraces student differences and guarantees access for students with unique needs. We are partnered with the Enrich LA program to engage the students in interdisciplinary garden-based classes. Erwin Parents and staff work together to create a powerful learning and teaching experience. Principal Marie Koudsi

Monlux Elementary School is a diverse learning community of students, from Pre – K through grade five. We are a mutually respectful, child-centered school. We emphasize the importance of learning in core academic subjects, as well as offering an enriched curriculum of art, music, and technology. We provide a safe caring environment for students while raising academic and behavior expectations and promoting a college-bound culture. We are a one to one technology school. Soon each child will have access to their own device (such as a chrome book or iPad) creating an even more engaging learning environment focused on 21st century skills. We offer a variety of exciting field trips and host spectacular nigh-time events. To learn more about our very special school please log onto www.monluxelementary.com. Hermineh Markosyan is the Principal. Phone- 818-763-4693

Welcome to Kittridge Street Elementary School, home of the Kangaroos! Kittridge is a dynamic, safe and diverse environment, focused on academic excellence developed from current research and practices. At Kittridge, each child is celebrated and challenged, with support from strong community. Our students demonstrate leadership, passion for learning, and embrace social responsibility. We are proud of our accomplishments. We are a School for Advanced Studies focused on innovative and research-based differentiated curriculum and instruction for gifted/high ability learners. We also have two Dual Language programs: Armenian and Spanish in Grades K and First. Our community of parents, students and staff are committed to working together to provide our students with quality and safe education. Principal Alfonso Jimenez. Phone 818-786-7926.